Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Richard Nixon resigns: 40 years later

This picture shows President Richard Nixon's letter of resignation to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, August 9, 1974. (AP Photo/White House ) Anonymous AP

None

This picture shows President Richard Nixon's letter of resignation to Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, August 9, 1974. (AP Photo/White House )
Anonymous AP

President Richard Nixon embraces his daughter, Mrs. Julie Eisenhower, Aug. 8, 1974, after informing his family of his decision to resign, in a photo released by the White House. The photo was made in the family's living quarters. (AP Photo/White House) Anonymous AP

None

President Richard Nixon embraces his daughter, Mrs. Julie Eisenhower, Aug. 8, 1974, after informing his family of his decision to resign, in a photo released by the White House. The photo was made in the family's living quarters. (AP Photo/White House)
Anonymous AP

President Nixon reads a passage from a book by Theodore Roosevelt as he addresses an East Room White House audience Friday, Aug. 9, 1974. Julie Nixon Eisenhower and her husband David listen, left, along with Mrs. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon Cox and her husband stand at the right. (AP Photo/Charles W. Harrity) CHARLES W. HARRITY AP

None

President Nixon reads a passage from a book by Theodore Roosevelt as he addresses an East Room White House audience Friday, Aug. 9, 1974. Julie Nixon Eisenhower and her husband David listen, left, along with Mrs. Pat Nixon, Tricia Nixon Cox and her husband stand at the right. (AP Photo/Charles W. Harrity)
CHARLES W. HARRITY AP

President Richard Nixon makes his farewell address to the White House staff, Aug. 9, 1974, as his daughter Julie Nixon Eisenhower and her husband David stand by. (AP Photo) Anonymous AP

None

President Richard Nixon makes his farewell address to the White House staff, Aug. 9, 1974, as his daughter Julie Nixon Eisenhower and her husband David stand by. (AP Photo)
Anonymous AP

President Richard M. Nixon and his wife Pat Nixon are shown standing together in the East Room of the White House Friday, August 9, 1974, where he made a farewell address to the members of the White House staff. The President boarded a helicopter immediately following his address for a short flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base and a flight to California. (AP Photo/Charlie Harrity) CHARLIE HARRITY AP

None

President Richard M. Nixon and his wife Pat Nixon are shown standing together in the East Room of the White House Friday, August 9, 1974, where he made a farewell address to the members of the White House staff. The President boarded a helicopter immediately following his address for a short flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base and a flight to California. (AP Photo/Charlie Harrity)
CHARLIE HARRITY AP

Richard Nixon performs the last acts of his devastated presidency in the White House East Room, August 9, 1974, as he bids farewell to his Cabinet, aides, and staff. Nixon said only a man in the deepest valley can know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. (AP Photo) ASSOCIATED PRESS

None

Richard Nixon performs the last acts of his devastated presidency in the White House East Room, August 9, 1974, as he bids farewell to his Cabinet, aides, and staff. Nixon said only a man in the deepest valley can know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

A smiling President Nixon gives a thumbs up as he walks from the podium in the East Room of the White House Friday Aug. 9, 1974. Nixon's daughters Julie Nixon Eisenhower, left and Tricia Nixon Cox and son-in-law Edward Cox follow. (AP Photo) ASSOCIATED PRESS

None

A smiling President Nixon gives a thumbs up as he walks from the podium in the East Room of the White House Friday Aug. 9, 1974. Nixon's daughters Julie Nixon Eisenhower, left and Tricia Nixon Cox and son-in-law Edward Cox follow. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gerald R. Ford and his wife Betty, in one of his last duties as Vice President, walks with Richard Nixon and his wife Pat from the White House, Friday following a speech given by Nixon to his White House staff, Aug. 9, 1974. Shortly afterward, Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. (AP Photo) AP

None

Gerald R. Ford and his wife Betty, in one of his last duties as Vice President, walks with Richard Nixon and his wife Pat from the White House, Friday following a speech given by Nixon to his White House staff, Aug. 9, 1974. Shortly afterward, Ford was sworn in as the 38th President of the United States. (AP Photo)
AP

President Richard Nixon says goodbye outside the White House Friday, August 9, 1974, as he prepares to board a helicopter for a flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base. Nixon addressed members of his staff in the East Room prior to his departure. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty) BOB DAUGHERTY ASSOCIATED PRESS

None

President Richard Nixon says goodbye outside the White House Friday, August 9, 1974, as he prepares to board a helicopter for a flight to nearby Andrews Air Force Base. Nixon addressed members of his staff in the East Room prior to his departure. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty)
BOB DAUGHERTY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Richard M. Nixon waves a final farewell from the helicopter steps as he leaves the White House for the last time after resigning as president , Aug. 9, 1974. (AP Photo) AP

None

Richard M. Nixon waves a final farewell from the helicopter steps as he leaves the White House for the last time after resigning as president , Aug. 9, 1974. (AP Photo)
AP

On the day of his resignation, Aug. 9, 1974, Richard M. Nixon waves goodbye from the steps of his helicopter as he leaves the White House following a farewell address to his staff. The Watergate scandal forced Nixon to become the first U.S. president to resign from office. (AP Photo/Chick Harrity) CHICK HARRITY AP

None

On the day of his resignation, Aug. 9, 1974, Richard M. Nixon waves goodbye from the steps of his helicopter as he leaves the White House following a farewell address to his staff. The Watergate scandal forced Nixon to become the first U.S. president to resign from office. (AP Photo/Chick Harrity)
CHICK HARRITY AP

Richard Nixon says goodbye with a victorious salute to his staff members outside the White House as he boards a helicopter after resigning the presidency on Aug. 9, 1974. Nixon was the first president in American history to resign the nation's highest office. His resignation came after approval of an impeachment article against him by the House Judiciary Committee for withholding evidence from Congress. He stepped down as the 37th president with a 2,026-day term, urging Americans to rally behind Gerald R. Ford. President Ford fully pardoned Nixon one month later. (AP Photo) AP

None

Richard Nixon says goodbye with a victorious salute to his staff members outside the White House as he boards a helicopter after resigning the presidency on Aug. 9, 1974. Nixon was the first president in American history to resign the nation's highest office. His resignation came after approval of an impeachment article against him by the House Judiciary Committee for withholding evidence from Congress. He stepped down as the 37th president with a 2,026-day term, urging Americans to rally behind Gerald R. Ford. President Ford fully pardoned Nixon one month later. (AP Photo)
AP

President Nixon, whose resignation will become effective at 12 p.m. EST Friday, boards the "Spirit of '76" at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. on Aug. 9, 1974 . Accompaning the president is his oldest daughter, Patricia Nixon Cox and her husband Edward Cox and Mrs. Nixon, back to camera in doorway. The plane's destination is San Clemente, Calif. (AP Photo) ASSOCIATED PRESS

None

President Nixon, whose resignation will become effective at 12 p.m. EST Friday, boards the "Spirit of '76" at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. on Aug. 9, 1974 . Accompaning the president is his oldest daughter, Patricia Nixon Cox and her husband Edward Cox and Mrs. Nixon, back to camera in doorway. The plane's destination is San Clemente, Calif. (AP Photo)
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries: